Vientian Cafe

"Because this is the Bay Area, we’ll always embrace any place serving excellent lunch specials with BBQ chicken or curries with a side of rice for under $13. Enter Vientian Cafe—the standout Lao, Thai, and Vietnamese spot in East Oakland. But also come here for the flavorful deep-fried rice with fermented pork ($12.95), the perfectly spicy, fresh papaya salad ($12.95), and the sweet-tangy angel wings ($10.95). You’ll also want to ask for the separate menu of Lao specials, which includes a tangy fermented sausage." - lani conway, julia chen 1

"Tucked into a seemingly random residential neighborhood, Vientian Cafe has the kind of greatest hits menu that spans pho, pad Thai, and every other Southeast Asian standard in between. But the truth is, Vientian is a Lao restaurant above all else, and to unlock the restaurant’s true greatness, diners should order exclusively off the separate menu of Lao specialties: fermented Lao sausages; catfish steamed inside banana leaves; and an assortment of delicious noodle soups." - Dianne de Guzman, Eater Staff

"Tucked into a residential neighborhood, Vientian Cafe has the kind of greatest hits menu that spans pho, pad Thai, and every other Southeast Asian standard in between. But it’s a Lao restaurant above all else, and to unlock the restaurant’s true greatness, diners should order exclusively off the separate menu of Lao specialties: nam kao, or crunchy rice ball salad; a best-in-class version of baked Lao sausages; catfish steamed inside banana leaves; and an assortment of delicious noodle soups. Many of the dishes are priced at less than $10. Call in or walk up to order." - Luke Tsai

"Tucked into a residential neighborhood, Vientian Cafe has the kind of greatest hits menu that spans pho, pad Thai, and every other Southeast Asian standard in between. But it’s a Lao restaurant above all else, and to unlock the restaurant’s true greatness, diners should order exclusively off the separate menu of Lao specialties: nam kao, or crunchy rice ball salad; best-in-class baked Lao sausages; catfish steamed inside banana leaves; and an assortment of delicious noodle soups. The restaurant is currently open for takeout during its regular business hours." - Luke Tsai

"Tucked into a residential neighborhood, Vientian Cafe has the kind of greatest hits menu that spans pho, pad Thai, and every other Southeast Asian standard in between. But it’s a Lao restaurant above all else, and to unlock the restaurant’s true greatness, diners should order exclusively off the separate menu of Lao specialties: nam kao, or crunchy rice ball salad; best-in-class baked Lao sausages; catfish steamed inside banana leaves; and an assortment of delicious noodle soups. Call in for takeout during the restaurant’s regular business hours." - Luke Tsai